“My name is Byron, I’m 19 years old and I live in El Limonal. I’m a volunteer leader in the mentorship program at SuNica. I have 9 siblings, 3 girls and 6 boys. I was born here, and as long as I can remember I started working here in the trash dump. I would work with my dad and we would find whatever we could to generate some money for our home. When I was 10, I started hearing about SuNica. I started coming to the community center to play soccer. One day I was invited to stay longer than just to play, and was asked to be a part of the bible study they were doing.
I didn’t have a very deep relationship with Jesus before I encountered SuNica. It wasn’t something that I really paid much attention to. That’s where my life with SuNica started. It really helped to change my life and even helped my family because it was one less expense my parents had once I was sponsored. As I continued in the program, when I was 16 I was invited to be a part of the pre-leadership program.
I remember since I was 10, my mom would tell me to not just get stuck in life here. To work hard, to try to become somebody in life to where I can have a good job and support a family. By the time I was 14 I stopped coming to work in the dump and started to imagine what life would be like if I actually went to college and studied something and had a different kind of life than what you typically see here.
Now I’m in my 2nd year of college studying social work. In February I celebrated a year of being a leader at SuNica discipling kids. I’ve been able to grow and take my relationship with Jesus seriously and also been able to preach His Word and been able to give that same love and knowledge to others. I always wanted to serve. Since I started being around SuNica, that really developed my desire to serve. From now on I know that service will be something that marks my life – wherever I go, whatever I do.“
– Byron
We’re thrilled to share that we recently offered Byron a staff position. He’s now a Discipleship Coordinator in the community he grew up in.
We were able to hire him because of supporters like you.
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